According to a news release, due to pests and diseases, the number of wild honeybees has significantly decreased, greatly increasing the need for domestic apiaries. Many specialty crop growers now hire beekeepers to pollinate their crops.

The state's beekeepers currently manage more than 24,000 colonies.

Honeybee Facts: (Illinois Dept. of Ag)

A honeybee must visit about 2 million flowers to make a pound of honey.

Bees are required to make a total flight path equivalent to 3 orbits around the earth to make 1 pound of honey.

The average worker bee lives for only 6 weeks during the summer and makes 1/2 teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.